Kenyatta University’s Council has appointed Prof John Okumu as the institution’s substantive Vice-Chancellor following a competitive recruitment process overseen by the Public Service Commission, in which he emerged as the top-ranked candidate.
The appointment was announced in a notice signed by the Chairperson of the University Council, Prof Clara S. Momanyi.
The Council said the decision was made in accordance with Section 35(1)(a)(v) of the Universities Act and with the concurrence of the Cabinet Secretary for Education.
Prof Okumu is no stranger to Kenyatta University’s leadership. He previously served for a decade as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), in addition to holding various other senior management positions at the institution.
The Council described him as a seasoned academic and administrator with extensive experience in academic leadership, research and institutional development.
In the notice, Prof Momanyi expressed confidence that Prof Okumu’s extensive experience and strategic insight in higher education management, planning and stakeholder engagement would provide visionary and transformational leadership as the university enters its next phase of growth.
“As we welcome Prof Okumu to this important role, I encourage all members of the University community and stakeholders to accord him the necessary cooperation and support as he undertakes his responsibilities to deliver on the university’s mandate,” the Council said.
The Council also congratulated Prof Okumu on what it termed a well-deserved appointment and wished him success in his new role.
Prof Okumu had been serving as Acting Vice-Chancellor since late January 2026, when he took over the instruments of office from Prof Paul Wainaina, who stepped down after completing an eight-year tenure marked by recurring leadership wrangles.
His confirmation as substantive Vice-Chancellor comes after six months in an acting capacity, during which he also topped the Public Service Commission interview process with 84.5 marks, ahead of his closest challengers, Prof Stephen Odebero and Prof Godfrey Mse.
The road to his substantive appointment was not without turbulence. Prof Waceke Wanjohi, the university’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) and a contender for the top job, moved to the High Court earlier this year challenging the recruitment outcome.
Prof Wanjohi argued that she had emerged as the top-scoring candidate and had been unfairly excluded from consideration.
In April, Justice Njoki Mwangi issued temporary orders barring the university from filling the Vice-Chancellor position pending the determination of the case. The judge also directed the Council to renew Prof Wanjohi’s contract as Deputy Vice-Chancellor.
The dispute cast uncertainty over the appointment for several months before the Council confirmed Prof Okumu as the substantive Vice-Chancellor on Monday.
